Transcript And the Studies Say… - Rhode Island School Counselor
AND THE STUDIES SAY…
Jay Carey, Carey Dimmitt, Karen Harrington, Rich Lapan
Center for School Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation University of Massachusetts Amherst State Research Partners
Connecticut: Nancy Aleman Missouri: Norm Gysbers and John Robbins Nebraska: Donna Vrbka Rhode Island: Belinda Wilkerson Utah: Dawn Stevenson Alan Burkard, Marquette University, Wisconsin ASCA National Conference July 4, 2010 1:30-4:30
Panel Introduction
Nancy Aleman – Connecticut Alan Burkard – Wisconsin/Marquette Jay Carey – CSCORE, UMass Amherst Carey Dimmitt – CSCORE, UMass Amherst Norm Gysbers – Missouri Karen Harrington – CSCORE, UMass Amherst Rich Lapan – CSCORE, UMass Amherst John Robbins – Missouri Dawn Stevenson – Utah Donna Vrbka – Nebraska Belinda Wilkerson- Rhode Island
The Multi-State School Counseling Research Project
History Previous statewide evaluations in Missouri (Lapan and Gysbers) and Utah (unpublished) National Leadership Cadre Model for Statewide Evaluations (Gisela Harkin, OVAE) ASCA Guidance Directors Group (Vrbka)
Importance to the Field
Why important to have documentation of how School Counseling impacts key student outcomes: Demonstration of Impact Accountability Aligning Local Practice with “Best Practice” Enhanced State Policy Decisions and Resource Allocation Professional Development Planning National Model Evaluation Linking School counseling to National and State Educational Improvement Initiatives Advocacy for the Profession
6 Statewide Studies
Each study trying to provide credible information to help answer the question:
Do more fully implemented comprehensive guidance and counseling programs enhance student learning and development?
3 Types of Data
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2.
3.
School-level outcome data School-level demographic data Information about school counseling practices and programs
1. School-Level Outcome Data - NCLB
Graduation rates Suspension rates Disciplinary incidence rates Dropout rates Attendance rates Average SAT/ACT scores Percentage of students scoring Proficient in Math/English on the state standardized test Percentage of students taking Advanced Placement courses
1. School-Level Outcome Data - Perkins
Percent Proficient in Reading Percent Proficient in Math Percent Proficient in Technical Skills Percent Program Completion Percent Graduation Percent Placed Nontraditional Program Participation rate Nontraditional Program Completion Rate
2. School-Level Demographic Data
School size Community type (urban, urban ring, suburban, rural) Per-pupil expenditure % of students eligible for free/reduced lunch Race/ethnicity
3. School Counseling Practices/ Programs
Program Characteristics: The School Counseling Program Implementation Survey, (Carey & Elsner, 2005, Clemens, Carey & Harrington, in press) Program Orientation Scale School Counseling Services Scale School Counselor Data Use Scale School Counseling Activities: Collection of items used previously and across Nebraska, Missouri and Utah (Lapan & Carey, 2009) State specific items developed in collaboration with each State Department of Education or State SC Association RI SALT data and School Counseling Survey
Structure of Surveys
22 items about Program Characteristics 1 - 4 scale: Not Present Development in Progress Partly Implemented Fully Implemented 13 items pertained to Delivery of Services 13 items Specific to each State 1 - 4 scale: Not accurate to extremely accurate
Information – Each State
Overall State Demographics State context Ratios Who participated in the study?
Survey Content Specific to each State Preliminary Findings Implications for the State Next steps
Yearly Program Evaluation Data Use Accurate Job Descriptions More Time Spent with Students High Standards for all Students School Counseling Programs Engage Parents Needs Assessments Professional Development Resources College Counseling for all Students Career and Education Plans School Counselor Practices
Student Outcomes
Provide World of Work Information Identify Student Interests and Abilities Guidance Curriculum Consult with Administration Modified from Nebraska School Counseling State Evaluation Summary State Specific Practices
Connecticut Demographics
(all numbers approximate) 169 locally-controlled public school districts Public school enrollment: 575,000 students Majority of racial or language minority students reside in 7 of the 169 districts 173 high schools Overall graduation rate: 79% White: 87% African American: 66% Hispanic: 58% Large achievement gap Student/school counselor ratios highest in poorer districts
CONNECTICUT MODEL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM
PROGRAM FOUNDATION Personal/Social Content Respect Self & Others Goal Setting & Attainment Survival and Safety Skills DELIVERY SYSTEM Academic Content Skills for Learning School Success Academics to Life Success ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS Career Content Investigate Careers Career Success Relationship of School & Work PROGRAM ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Connecticut State Department of Education 2008
HS Student:Counselor Ratios 07-08
District
A B C D E F G H I
State Average Students per Counselor
189 193 191 224 195 206 218 232 242
213
Sample for This Study
96 CT High Schools 72 School Counselors 24 Guidance Directors 52 Principals
Value Added Gain in Predicting Suspension Rates Per 100 CT High School Students
3% 1% 6% 3% 44% Unexplained Variance FRL $ Per Pupil Enrollment Ratio of Students to Counselors College and Career Counseling 43%
SC Ratios and Student Suspensions
Value Added Gain in Predicting Discipline Incidents for CT High School Students 3% 8% 2% 4% 23% 60% Unexplained Variance FRL $ Per Pupil Enrollment Ratio of Students to Counselors College and Career Counseling
Principals agree….
College and career counseling services related to: lower suspension rates (-.32) fewer discipline incidents (-.29) higher graduation rates (.50) Better attendance (.34) Responsive services related to: fewer discipline incidents (-.29) higher graduation rates (.28) Note. Correlations are either statistically significant at the p < .05 level or fall just short with small sample size
Additional Findings
When not spending 80% of time in activities that directly benefit students – SC are providing less college and career counseling services Concern - only 1/2 said that college and career counseling involved collaboration with students and parents to develop 4-year plans As ratios increase, school counselors do less college and career counseling (-.27) As more non-guidance tasks are performed, school counselors are less likely to spend at least 80% of their time in activities that directly benefit students
Additional Findings
While on average school counselors spend 11% of their work time on non-guidance tasks, about 1/4 of the sample said they spend between 15% to 50% of their time performing non-guidance tasks As $ spent per student increases, ratios get better Using data was related to better graduation and suspension rates; however, about 50% of sample said they were not using data to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs Stay the course - the longer schools had been working to implement a comprehensive program, the better the suspension rates
Recommendations
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Reduce school counselor to student ratios - create relationships and working alliances with every student Eliminate work tasks not related to school counselor’s primary role and function Hold school counselors accountable for providing every student with effective and well-designed college and career counseling services Use data to identify, improve, and implement practices supported by credible evidence Close the implementation gap in comprehensive school counseling programs across CT - ratios matter and what school counselors do matters
Next Steps
Publication and dissemination of the study results through the public relations plan
Develop a strategy for increasing the implementation level of the CCSCP
Expand research to middle and elementary levels
Nebraska Demographics
(all numbers approximate) • • • • • • • • • 254 locally-controlled public school districts, plus 207 private schools Public school enrollment: 292,069 students Majority of racial or language minority students reside in 7 of the 254 districts 285 secondary schools Overall graduation rate: 89.2% Largest achievement gap between White and African American males School Counselor time spent on non-counseling program duties varies widely Many rural schools in the west Over 50% of all students in eastern one-third of state
Nebraska Demographics
38% Poverty 12% Mobility 6% ELL 15% Receive Special Education Services 13% High Ability 2% Homeschooled
Nebraska School Counseling
School Counselor and Program tied to School Accreditation Rules Secondary required, Elementary optional Teaching certificate and experience (2yr.) required All policies and certification, directly aligned to ASCA ASCA National Model trainings began in 2003 State of local control…..
but also…
LEADERSHIP NSCA has flourished
Nebraska School Counseling
369 Student to Counselor Ratio (latest ASCA data) 928 NE School Counselors 254 School Districts Many one-counselor K-12 school districts Often school counselors have classroom teaching assignments in other subject matter
Use of time survey indicate Counselors are assigned many non-counseling program duties
Nebraska: Research Participants
Outcome and demographic data were obtained from a total of 262 high schools 236 rural schools 12 suburban 24 urban 128 counselors = 49% response return rate 68 principals = 26% response return rate
Nebraska Results: Program Characteristics (Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, School Counseling Services were significantly associated with o Lower suspension rates o o o o Lower discipline rates Higher attendance rates Higher levels of Math proficiency Higher levels of Reading proficiency
Nebraska Results: School Counselor Rations (Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, more favorable School Counsel Ratios were significantly associated with: o Higher attendance rates o o Higher Levels of Technical Proficiency (Perkins) Higher Levels of Program Completion (Perkins).
Nebraska Results: School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes Needs Assessments are completed regularly and guide program planning School counselors use student performance data to decide how to meet student needs An annual review is conducted in order to collect information for improving next year’s programs School counselor job descriptions match actual duties
Nebraska Results: School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes School counselors spend most of their time in activities that directly benefit students.
The program includes interventions designed to improve the school’s ability to educate all students to high standards.
The program has the resources to allow counselors to complete appropriate professional development activities.
School counseling priorities are represented on curriculum and education committees.
School counselors communicate with parents to help coordinate efforts related to student achievement and to gain feedback for program improvement.
Nebraska Results: State-specific School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes Effectively consulting with administrators concerning students who are experiencing problems that interfere with school success Collaborating with cross-curriculum faculty in developing programs of study to prepare students to be post-secondary and career-ready Using the online C4C-Curriculum for Careers, which aligns career exploration with the Nebraska Career Education Model Providing effective college counseling services to all students Implementing and assisting students in developing effective career and educational plans
Nebraska Results: State-specific School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes Using sample Personal Learning Plans with recommended programs of coursework and school and community extended learning activities (with content already filled in) to inform students and parents of the most effective learning plan for clusters/pathways Instructing students on the 16 Career Clusters as part of the career development process Collaborating with students and parents/guardians to assist students in developing a four-year plan as part of the education and career planning process Providing all students and parents/guardians with accurate and up-to date information about the world of work Ensuring that all families receive support in filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form)
Nebraska Results: Perkins Implementation Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes The degree to which a school’s Perkins Programs of Study includes a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career/technical education was found to be significantly related to: Lower suspension rates Lower disciplinary incidence rates Higher attendance rates Greater percentages of students scoring Math proficient on the state test Greater percentages of students scoring Reading proficient on the state test
Nebraska Implications… Statewide Action Plan from Data
Advocacy to all stakeholders-national, state, local Public Relations Media Campaign NSCA-NDE-CTE-Postsecondary partnerships Targeted Professional Development priorities Principals/Administrators School Counselors Baseline data source to measure program improvement statewide Data for future grant funding Closer look at specific findings
Utah Demographics
(all numbers approximate) 41 locally-controlled public school districts, plus 100 charter schools Public school enrollment: 574,317 students Majority of racial or language minority students reside in 6 of the 41 districts 290 secondary schools Overall graduation rate: 88% White: 91% African American: 77% Hispanic: 70% Native American 73% Large achievement gap Student/school counselor ratios vary widely district to district
Utah Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance
1988-89 CCGP began in 11 pilot schools “Seed money” provided through Perkins funding 1992 CCGP funding provided by legislature 1996 Statewide adoption of the program, 7 – 12 $8.7 million incentive funding Rigorous school-level program evaluation to qualify
Utah CCGP
624 Secondary School Counselors 1:362 198 Elementary School Counselors 1:1539 Master’s degree required, aligned with ASCA Day long training for all new counselors and administrators –ASCA/Utah Model Two-day Annual CCGP Training State-wide evaluations in 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2007 used to leverage funds
Utah CCGP
Individual Student Planning mandated in 1984 Required by Board rule in 1972 2003 Two data projects annually: Guidance Activities and Closing the Gap Jan 2009 Utah State Board of Education requires school counselor:student ratio of 1:350 or better Licensed as a school counselor 4-year and beyond plan by end of grade 8 Free from non-school counseling activities 2009-10 Integration of UtahFutures into CCGP
Utah CCGP Years of Implementation
Utah: Research Participants
Outcome and demographic data were obtained from a total of 144 high schools in Utah 65 counselors and a 61 principals completed the entire survey
Utah Results: Program Features
(Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, Programmatic Orientation was significantly associated with: o o o o o o Higher percentages of students achieving Math proficiency Higher percentages of student achieving Reading proficiency Higher average ACT scores Higher percentages of students taking the ACT Increased graduation rates (Perkins data) Increased non-traditional program participation rates (Perkins data)
Utah Results: Program Features (Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, School Counseling Services were significantly associated with: o Higher Graduation Rates (Perkins Data) o Higher Rates of Non-Traditional Program Participation (Perkins Data)
Utah Results: Program Features (Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, School Counselor Data Use was significantly associated with: o Higher percentages of students achieving Mathematics proficiency o Higher percentage of students achieving Reading proficiency o Increased Graduation Rates (Perkins Data)
Utah Results: School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes Needs Assessments are completed regularly and guide program planning School counselors use student performance data to decide how to meet student needs An annual review is conducted in order to collect information for improving next year’s programs School counselor job descriptions match actual duties
Utah Results: School Counselor Ratios (Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, more favorable School Counsel Ratios were significantly associated with: o Higher attendance rates o Lower discipline incident rates
Utah Results: Program Implementation (Hierarchical Linear Regression) o After controlling for demographic differences among schools, the length of time that a comprehensive developmental school counseling program was implemented was significantly associated with: o Higher attendance rates o Lower discipline incident rates
Utah Results: School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes A written mission statement exists and is used as a foundation by all counselors Services are organized so that all students are well served and have access to these services All students receive classroom guidance lessons designed to promote academic, social/personal, and career development School counselors use student performance data to decide how to meet student needs School counselors analyze student data by ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic level to identify interventions to close achievement gaps
Utah Results: School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes School counselor job descriptions match actual duties School counselors spend at least 80% of their time in activities that directly benefit students The school counseling program includes interventions designed to improve the school’s ability to educate all students to high standards School counseling priorities are represented on curriculum and education committees School counselors communicate with parents to coordinate student achievement and gain feedback for program improvement The school counseling program develops yearly management agreements with principals to guide program goals and activities
Utah Results: State-specific School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes School counselors consulting with administrators concerning students experiencing problems that interfere with school success School counselors providing consultation to other school-based personnel concerning all students experiencing problems that interfere with school success School counselors implementing a career planning process that involves collaboration with students and parents/guardians to assist students in developing a four-year plan School counselors helping all students identify their interests and abilities School counselors assisting all students in creating schedules that reflected their individual abilities, interests, and future goals School counselors helping all students develop a formalized four- or five-year SEOP School counselors implementing a program that ensures that all students receive career development education, including career awareness, exploration, planning and application
Utah Results: State-specific School Counseling Activities Associated with Enhanced Student Educational Outcomes School counselors implementing a program that includes instruction on the Utah CTE High School to College and Career Pathways School counselors implementing a Comprehensive Guidance Program that encourages more students to take higher level math, science, and writing classes Having a career center available for student use before, during, and after school (outside of regular classes) School counselors implementing a Comprehensive Guidance Program that helps more students build schedules based on their individual career goals School counselors implementing a Comprehensive Guidance Program that helps more students develop post-secondary education or training plans School counselors implementing a Comprehensive Guidance Program that encourages more students to take Career and Technical Education classes
Utah Implications… Statewide Action Plan from Data
Advocacy to all stakeholders-national, state, local Public Relations Media Campaign USCA-USOE-CTE-Postsecondary partnerships Targeted Professional Development priorities Principals/Administrators School Counselors National data source to measure program improvement statewide
Rhode Island Demographics (07-08)
(all numbers approximate) 36 locally-controlled public school districts Public school enrollment: 148,474 students 53 high schools Overall graduation rate: 74% Graduation Rates Disaggregated Poverty 61% African-American 64% Hispanic 62% White 78% Urban 61% Urban Ring 78% Suburban 84%
RI - State Ratios
Source: American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Context for RI School Counselor Survey
School Accountability for Learning and Teaching
RI Respondents by Year and Level
Middle School High School
RI SALT Data Collection: School Counseling Survey Sample Items
Who supervises school counselors in your district?
Our school’s guidance curriculum is delivered by… School counseling responsibilities include….
How often does your school counseling program use student data?
Our school counseling program addresses students’ personal/social needs in the following ways….
How do you provide school counseling program outreach to members of your school community?
Our school counseling program involves parents in the following ways…
Rhode Island: Research Participants
Outcome and demographic data were obtained from a total of 31 high schools Small sample size – not able to do hierarchical linear regressions, just did correlations School Counselors, Principals, and Guidance Directors complete the SALT data about School Counseling Students, Parents, Teachers, and Administrators complete different versions of SALT surveys
RI SALT Survey Data 2008
Percent of HS students reporting that they feel that they can talk to a teacher or other staff member about academic issues most of the time or always… Range = 22% - 79% Average = 47% ….personal or family problems most of the time or always Range = 9%-51% Average = 17%
RI: SALT Survey Data 2008
11-12 th grade students who say they have talked with a guidance counselor/advisor during this school year about college and/or jobs: No = 37% Yes, once = 27% Yes, 2 or more times = 36% Girls more than boys, no F/R lunch differences If you talked… how helpful was it to you?
Not at all helpful = 18% A little helpful = 23% Somewhat helpful = 27% Very helpful = 32% Girls more than boys, F/R lunch more helpful
RI: SALT Survey Data 2008
If you talked… did the counselor/advisor encourage you to attend college?
Firmly encouraged = 64% Somewhat encouraged = 22% Neither encouraged nor discouraged = 9% Discouraged me from attending = 5%
RI SALT Survey Data 2008
How important were your conversations with the guidance counselor/advisor in making your decisions about college?
Not at all important = 21% A little important = 23% Somewhat important = 25% Very important = 31% Girls more than boys, F/R lunch more than not How important were your conversations…. decisions about careers?
Not at all important = 24% A little important = 23% Somewhat important = 25% Very important = 29% Girls more than boys, F/R lunch more than not
RI: F/R Lunch
Schools with higher F/R lunch eligibility: School Counselors less likely to be doing Comprehensive Guidance (08) More focus on personal/social needs SC do less college and career counseling (07) School spends less $ per student More student mobility Less parent involvement Less community outreach Lower attendance Students less likely to report that they feel like they belong Parents more likely to report schools are not responsive to their needs More out-of-school suspensions
RI:– Race/Ethnicity
Schools with more Hispanic and African-American students: Less Comprehensive Guidance (08) Less Career/College Planning (08) More focus on meeting personal/social needs (08) Spend less $ per student (08) Less parent involvement More out-of-school suspensions Students more likely to report not feeling like they belong (07)
RI: Per Pupil Expenditure
With more money spent per student: Attendance increases (07) School Counselors do more college and career planning School Counselors do more Comprehensive Guidance (08) Challenge with correlation- what is causing what?
Are school counselors acting to counteract risk factors? How are school counseling practices impacted by these school contexts?
RI: Comprehensive Guidance
Correlations - As Comprehensive Guidance program implementation increases Out of school suspensions go down Student sense of belonging increases Parents feel school is more responsive Hassles with others decrease Bullying decreases Not significantly related to school size, but close
RI: School Counselor Activities
As Social/Emotional interventions increase Students feel more of a sense of belonging Students report fewer hassles with teachers and peers in school Students report less bullying Parents feel schools are more responsive to their needs (08)
RI: School Counselor Activities
As College and Career Counseling increases Attendance goes up (07) Students report fewer hassles with others (08) Parents report schools are more responsive to their needs (08) Fewer out-of-school suspensions (08)
RI: Parents, Data
Correlations - As SC parent involvement increases Student attendance increases (08) Student belonging increases Hassles with others declines Parents see school as being more responsive Increasing SC use of data Bullying decreases (08) Parents feel school is more responsive (08)
Implications for Rhode Island
Challenges Next Steps
Plan, implement, and evaluate focused PD based on data Dissemination of state report
Meaningful
Collaboration
Wisconsin CSCP Evaluation: Participants
• • • Years in the profession Mean = 13.25; SD = 8.96
School Counselors – – Full-time status: 86.4% (n = 437) Part-time status: 13.6% (n = 69) Schools – – – – – – Elementary: 22.1% (n = 112) Middle: 19.4% (n = 98) High: 34.2% (n = 173) 7-12: 1.0% (n = 5) K-8: 1.0% (n = 42) District: 8.3% (n = 5)
Program Characteristics: Percentage of Implementation (100% equaling full implementation)
Program Characteristics: Time on Task (100% equaling full implementation)
Outcome for High and Low Implementation CSCP High School AP Tested High CSCP: M = 10.17% Tested Low CSCP: M = 7.87% Tested High School Attendance Rates High CSCP: M = 95% attendance Low CSCP: M = 93.5% attendance Middle School Reading and Math Advanced Level High CSCP: Reading = 49.1%; Math = 35% Low CSCP: Reading = 42.8%; Math = 28% Middle School Suspensions Rates High CSCP: M = 1% Suspended Low CSCP: M = 4% Suspended
Current CSCP Training in Wisconsin Tested for group differences between Level I, Level II, and No Training No significant differences for Individual Planning, Responsive Services, System Support, Evaluation, or Guidance Curriculum
Evaluation Implications for Wisconsin
Lack of Elementary Results: Restriction of Range?
SCs are spending significant amounts of time in areas of CSCP that are not well developed Current training is not resulting in more fully developed CSCP programs: Technology Transfer More fully implemented CSCPs are associated with positive academic-related behaviors in middle and high school, and academic outcomes in middle school
Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and School Counseling
Fully Implementing Missouri’s Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program Program + Personnel = Results
Rationale for using the Internal Improvement Review (IIR)
If counselors are to be held publicly accountable for helping students to achieve positive outcomes, it is important that all concerned know the degree to which the comprehensive guidance program is actually implemented within the building or district where the counselors work.
Missouri School Counseling Evaluation
GUIDANCE E-LEARNING CENTER http://missouricareereducation.org/curr/cmd/guidanceplacementG/elearning/
2006 Missouri findings relevant to 2010 studies…
When high school counselors reported more fully implemented programs, significantly correlated with: Higher MAP Math and Communication Arts scores Better attendance Fewer discipline problems School counselors performing fewer non-guidance tasks
2006 Missouri findings relevant to 2010 studies…
When school administrators (K-12) reported more fully implemented programs, significantly correlated with: Better attendance Fewer discipline problems
Question: Do more fully implemented programs help to reduce discipline problems in high schools? Answer: Yes!
Money Spent Per Child - 7% Enrollment - 2% Students on Free/Reduced Lunch - 12% Quality of Instruction and Staffing Patterns - 13% A More Fully Implemented Program - 3% Unexplained Variance - 63%
What do principals think? Do more fully implemented programs help to reduce discipline problems in schools K12? Answer: Yes!
Money Spent Per Child - .01% Enrollment - 11% Students on Free/Reduced Lunch - 7% Quality of Instruction and Staffing Patterns - 15% A More Fully Implemented Program - 3% Unexplained Variance - 63%
2010 Missouri study findings…
When school counselors report providing more college and career counseling services, significantly correlated with: Better attendance Lower drop out rates Higher graduation rates As school counselor to student caseloads decrease, relationship with: Fewer disciplinary incidents Higher graduation rates
Please note: Missouri data being re-checked to verify results. Final results available 8/1/10
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0 Curriculum
2006: How Missouri School Counselors Spend Their Time
Responsive Services Individual Planning Systems Support
Work Categories
Non-Guidance Tasks School Counselors Principals
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0 Curriculum
2010: How Missouri School Counselors Spend Their Time
Responsive Services Individual Planning Systems Support
Work Categories
Non-Guidance Tasks School Counselors Principals
Themes and Differences in Data Across States SC impacts key outcomes (e.g. discipline, attendance, graduation) More time on non-guidance tasks negatively impacts outcomes Better program implementation positively impacts outcomes Higher ratios negatively impacts outcomes Increased SC use of data positively impacts outcomes Per pupil expenditures impacts SC practices and outcomes
Conclusion – Consistent Findings
Quality School Counseling benefits students Achievement – test scores Fewer discipline events Better attendance, graduation rates College and career planning Family connection to school Student feelings of belonging Less bullying All students are not getting the same school counseling services Variability by state, context History of implementation of comprehensive programs Lower income/ high minority students disproportionately likely to receive less comprehensive guidance Individual planning matters- college and career readiness Ratios matter Time matters Replication of prior studies- the findings are consistent across states and over time
Problems with the study
A great deal of variability in the consistency and accuracy of data Much of it is self-report data Correlation vs. Causation The outcomes are complex, determined by multiple variables
BREAK
When we return from the break, we will have an extended question and answer session about what you just heard.
Please think about your questions for the Panel while you are on break!
Discussion
Questions with audience
What do these findings mean for SC practice in the future? Given these findings, how does this shape state educational policy decisions?
What does this mean for what SC do on a day-to-day basis?
What are the implications for the Race to the Top, and College and Career Readiness Initiatives?
How can these results be used as advocacy tools for all students to be successful?
Other questions?
Next steps (Panel) (5)
Next steps in the project Professional School Counseling Journal special edition Full state reports Collapsing data across the states where possible- what can be said about the data nationally?
Dissemination Other publications Administrator journals School board journals Next research projects